Ball game



R. F. DOWNEY.

BALL GAME.

APPLICATION\ HLED APR. 17, 1919.

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WITNESS ATTORNEYS RI Fl BALL GAME.

' APPLICATION FILED APR. 1 7, 1919.

Patented M11, 1920.

INVENTOR 'fl f/d fii/ W BYg ATTORNE in 5,? WITNESS WW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD F. DOWNEY, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIG-NOR OF ONE-HALF TO HERMAN SCHREIER, OF SHEBOYGAN, WISCONSIN.

BALL GAME.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 11, 1920.

Application filed April 17, 1919. Serial No. 290,841.

'1 b all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD F. DowNnY, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball Games; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in games. particularly of that type which consists principally of a target at which balls and the like are adapted to be thrown or otherwise projected.

It is an object of this invention to provide means in connection with the target for indicating the score made by each ball which strikes the target, the score indicators being so arranged that they will be exposed an appreciable length of time so that the player can readily compute his score.

A further important object is to provide means for returning the balls or other pro jectiles from the target to the players. such means being readily controlled by the latter. In this connection the apparatus is provided with means for automatically transferring the balls and the like from the initial receiving receptacles to the propelling arm of the return device.

W'ith these general objects in view, the invention resides in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more particularly described. and claimed and shown in the drawings in which:

Figure 1 represents a. front elevational view of my improved game apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the invention, and

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view, partly in section. of the apparatus.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that the target proper of the apparatus consists of a plurality, in the present illustration two, of concentric rings 1 and 2 each of which merges into a downwardly inclined chute portion 3. the lower ends of which portions are secured to a supporting target back i. This target back is held in vertical position by means of suitable feet such as the frame 5 shown in Fig. 9.. The downward inclination of the chute portions of the target rings prevent the balls B or other projectiles from bouncing out of the target. As a further means for obviating such action on the part of the balls and to direct the same inwardly, the innermost ring 2 has its edge provided with a plurality of relatively deep V-shaped notches 6. In practice the target ringswill preferably be made from sheet material and the outer edges thereof covered with leather or the like to prevent cutting or injury of the balls.

The center of the target is formed by aplunger head 7 which is carried by the forward end of a plunger rod 8, the latter being slidably journaled in a sleeve 9 as shown in Fig. 2. The sleeve is fixed in the target board 4 and the plunger rod projects therethrough and has a striker lO on its rear end for engagement with a bell or other sounding device 11. The target center formed by the plunger head 7 is normally retained in projected position by means of a contractile spring 12, but when, struck by a ball or the like the plunger rod is moved rearwardly and the striker brought into contact with the bell 11.

The ball B upon entering either one of the target rings 1 or 2 is conveyed toward the target back lof the chute portions 3 and expelled through openings 13 or la in the latter. As depicted in Fig. 3 when the ball leaves the target through the opening 13 it enters a receiving receptacle in the form of an elongated. trough l5 pivoted adjacent one end as at 16, the opposite end being open. Normally the trough 15 is slightly inclined toward its openend and is retained in this position by a cou'nterbalance weight 17, the arm of which rests upon a stop pin 18. T he ball B is of sufiicient weight to overcome the weight of the counter-balance 17 when it is adjacent the open end of the trough so that the latter is swung upon its pivot 16 until said arm of the counterbalance engages a second stop pin 18.

Disposed below the opening 14 and in a position to receive a ball expelled therethrougl'l is a second trough-like receptacle 15 identical. in all respects to the trough 15 and adapted to be actuated in the same manner.

Also mounted on the target back is a plurality of intermediately pivoted indicator arms 19. 20 and 21. one end of each of which carries a score indicator 22. Normally the indicators 22 are positioned below the top of the target back so that they are invisible to the players, it being desirable however, to

most clearly in Fig. 2.

expose the proper indicator when the ball B has been received in the target. Therefore, in order that the balls may themselves actuate the indicators, the arm 19 is connected with the receiving receptacle adjacent the open end thereof by means of a cable or the flexible connection 23, and the receptacle 15' is similarly connected with the arm 21 as at 24. The points of connections between said arms 19 and 21 and the troughs 15 and 15' with respect to the pivot of the former is such that when the weight of the ball rocks either of the troughs, the respective score indicator will be exposed.

The indicator on the arm is exposed only when the ball strikes the target center 7 and thus moves the plunger 8 rearwardlyi To procure actuation of the indicator arm 20 by the movement of the plunger rod 8, the rear end of the latter is connected by a flexible element 25 with the end of the arm remote from the score indicator thereof.

It being essential that the score indicators be exposed an appreciable length of time, the end of the arm 20 adjacent the connection of the element 25 therewith is provided with a counter-balance 26 which, when the plunger rod is moved rearwardly at the proper score indicator exposed, will hold the latter thusly until certain other operations to be hereinafter more particularly set forth are performed. Briefly this arm 20 is returned to normal position by pulling downwardly on the cord of cable 27.

The other score indicators are held in their exposed positions by trapping the balls in the open ends of the troughs 15 or 15, and thus securing the latter in the inclined position assumed by the receptacle 15' in Fig. 3. From this figure it will be seen that the balls are trapped between the ends of the troughs l5 and 15 and a substantial vertical trough-like retaining plate 28 which is carried by a link connecting bar 29 attached to the target back by links 80. In normal position the links are upwardly inclined 'and the retaining plate sc positioned that the distance between the same and the adjacent ends of the troughs 15 and 15' is too small to permit the ball B to pass therethrough. The retaining plate 28 is shifted laterally to increase said distance by downward movement of the link connecting bar 29; such movement is performed in the manner to be hereinafter more particularly set forth.

As hereinbefore mentioned the invention also includes means for returning the balls to the players after they have passed through the target. The preferred device for carrying out this return is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being shown The principal element of the return device consists of a propelling arm 31 keyed at one end to a rock shaft 32 and carrying a ball cup 33 on its other or free end. Fixed on the rock shaft 32 is a latch arm 84 and a crank arm 35 having a contractile spring connected thereto whereby the arm 31 is normally retained in its propelling position as in the above mentioned figure.

Before receiving the ball to be returned, the arm Ell retracted until it is sub stantially horizontal, such retraction being procured through the instrumentality of a cable 87 and a lever 38, to one end of which the former is connected. Said lever is pivoted upon the rock shaft 32 and carries a catch 39 for coaction with the latch on the end of the arm With the parts positioned as shown in said Fig. 2, a pull on the cable 37 will cause the lever 38 to be shifted carrying with it the latch arm 84 and consequently the propelling arm 31. After a predetermined length of movement of these parts the engagement between the arm 84 and the lever 38 is automatically disconnected by the engagement of the trigger 40 of the catch 39 with a trip 41. The action of the spring 36 is thus permitted to come into play and forcibly rock the arm 31.

During movements of the arm 81 it is held between a pair of spaced guide bars 42. one end of which pair is connected with the frame 5 and the other end with a brace 43. Movement of the arm 31 in a propelling direction is limited by an adjustable stop 44 carried by the guide bars 42. It is obvious that the sudden stoppage of the arm 31 causes the ball or the like contained in the cup 33 to be projected toward the players. After the pull on the cable 87 is discontinued the lever 38 will be returned to its normal position by a spring 45 as shown.

The invention contemplates means for supplying a ball to the cup while the propelling arm is in its retracted position and just before the engagement of the trigger 40 with the trip 41. For this purpose a ball receiver 46 is pivoted to one edge of the target back adjacent the position occupied by the ball cup 33 when the arm 31 is in its retracted position, and a trip finger is extended from the ball receiver 46 into the path of movement of the cup 33, so that when the latter engages the same, the ball receiver will be rocked and the ball contained therein permitted to roll into said cup.

As shown in the drawings the ball receiver 46 is located directly beneath the lower end of the trcughdike retaining plate 28 so that the ball released from either of the troughs 15 or 15 will be deposited therein; laterally and the ball permitted to drop into the receiver 46 by movement of a lewr 48, one end of which is provided with a finger 49 engaging the lowermost link 80. Rocking of the lever 48 at the proper time The retaining plate 28 is shifted with respect to the movement of the propelling arm 31 is obtained through the actuation of a bell crank 50, one arm of which is linked to the lever 38 by a connecting rod 51 and the other end similarly connected to therlever L8 by a link 52.

The lever 48 is also provided with an arm 53 to which one end of the cable 27 .is con nected. Thus when the lever $8 is rocked by the means just set forth, the arm 53 will be moveo in a direction to return the indi cator arm 20 to normal position. assuming that the same had previously been rocked to expose the score indicator thereof.

Having described the construction of the various parts of the invention, the operation for these parts is briefly as follows:

Assuming that a ball B thrown at the target enters between the rings 1 and 9.- thereof, it will be conveyed through the opening 1e and into the trough 15 which, being slightly inclined will cause the same to roll toward the open end thereof thereby further inclining said trough. T his pronounced inclination raises the score indicator of the arm 19 from its normally invisible position to show the player who threw the ball to what score he is entitled.

This score indicator will be held above the top of the target back until a hand or foot lever (not shown), to which the cable 57 is attached is moved in the proper direction to retract the propelling arm 31, and to shift the retaining plate 28 to release the ball trapped between the sameand the a jaccnt end of the trough 15'. When ban ps into the ball receiver .26 we trough 15 and the indicator arm 19 will simultaneously return to their normal positions, the former being then in position to again receive a ball.

Said ball having been deposited in the receiver as prior to the engagement of the ball cup 33 with the trip finger l", it will be transferred to said cup when the arm 31 reaches its limit of retraction. All of these operations obviously occur before the trigger 40 is engaged with the trip il. as when such takes place the lever 38 will have been released from its connection with the latch arm 34 and the tension of the spring 36 exerted to move said arm 31 in a propelling direction.

With such an apparatus as this, the game may be played continuously with only one ball, provided, of course, that said ball strikes within the outer ring 1 of the target each time it is thrown theretoward. Many different ways may be devised for throwing or propelling the ball or the like toward the target, for instance it may be either ma.nu-'

ally or mechanically projected and the projectile may consist either of an ordinary base-ball or any other appropriate object. Similarly various minor changes may be made in the form and proportion of the several parts of the apparatus without de parting from or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof or the principles of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and a projectile, of a normally invisible score indicator, means for exposing said indicator, means operable by the projectile to hold the indicator in exposed position, a projectile return means, and means operated by the actuation of the return means to release the projectile and permit the return movement of the indir-ator to normal position.

2. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and a projectile, of a normally invisible score indicator, a movable projectile receptacle having an opening to allow escape of the projectile therefrom, said receptacle being shifted when a projectile is disposed in said opening, a connection between said score indicator and receptacle to rock the former to exposed position when the latter is moved, means for trapping the projectile in the opening of the receptacle to retain the score indicator in exposed position, and means for releasing the last mentioned means to permit expulsion of the projectile and the return of the recep tacle and indicator to normal position.

3. In a game apparatus, he combination with a target anda projectile, of a plurality of normally invisible score indicators, a plurality of projectile receptacles, each having an open end to allow the escape of a projectile therefrom, each of the receptacles being connected with a corresponding indicator, said receptacles being rocked when a projectile is disposed therein to tend to expel the same through said open ends and to move the respective indicator to exposed position, means for trapping the projectiles in the open ends of the several receptacles to retain the respective indicators in exposed positions, and means for releasing the last mentioned .means to permit expulsion of the projectiles and the return of the receptacles and shifted. when the receptacle is disposed in said open end, a connection between said lever and receptacle to rock the former and expose the score indicator when the receptacle is moved, a shiftable plate slightly spaced from said open end of the receptacle to trap a pro ectile therebetween, and

.meansfor moving saidplate to release the trapped projectile and permit return of the receptacle and indicator to their normal positions.

5. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and. a projectile, of a plurality of normally invisible pivoted score indicators, a plurality of pivoted projectile receptacles each having an open end to allow the escape of the projectile therefrom, each of the receptacles being connected with the corresponding indicator, said receptacles being rocked when a projectile is disposed therein to tend to expel the same through said open ends and to move the respective indicator to exposed position, a shiftable plate slightly spaced from each of the open ends of said receptacles to trap a projectile between said plate and either of said receptacles whereby to retain the respective indicator in exposed position, and means for moving the plate to release the trapped projectile.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and a projectile, of a plurality of normally invisible pivoted score indicators, a plurality of substantially horizontal pivoted projectile receptacles each having an open end to allow the escape of the projectile therefrom, each of said receptacles being connected with its corresponding indicator, said receptacles being rocked to a pronounced inclined position when a projectile is disposed therein to tend to expel the same through said open ends and move the respective indicators to exposed position, a substantial vertical retaining plate slightly spaced from each of the open ends of said receptacles to trap a projectile between the plate and either of said receptacles to retain the respective indicators in exposed posi tions, and means for shifting the retaining plate to release the trapped projectile.

7. In a projectile propelling apparatus, a rock shaft, a propelling arm fixed to the shaft and having a projectile receiving cup, means for urging the propelling arm in a propelling direction, an actuating arm loose on the rock shaft, and having operating means connected thereto for moving the same, means for locking the actuating arm to the shaft to move the same and the propelling arm therewith, and means for releasing the locking means when the actuating arm and the propelling arm have been moved a predetermined extent in a retracting direction.

8. In a projectile propelling apparatus, a rock shaft, a propelling arm fixed on the shaft and having a projectile receiving cup,

a lever loosely mounted on said rock shaft, a latch arm fixed to the rock shaft, a catch carried by the lever for engagement with the latch arm when in one position, means for urging the propelling arm in a propelling direction, means for moving the lever and the latch arm and the propelling arm in a retracting position against the action of said urging means, and means for automatically releasing the catch of the latch arm when the propelling arm has been moved a predetermined extent in said retracting direction.

9. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and a projectile, of a receptacle receivin the projectile from the target, a retaining p ate for holding the projectile in the receptacle, a normally projected projectile propelling member, means for moving the member to a retracted position, means for shifting the retaining plate to permit expulsion of the projectile from the receptacle, means for transferring the projectile to the member when the latter is moved .to a retracted position, and means for projecting the propelling member from retracted position.

10. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and a projectile, of a receptacle receiving the projectile from the target, a retaining plate for holding the projectile in the receptacle, a normally projected projectile propelling member, means for simultaneously moving the member to a retracted position and shifting the retaining plate to permit expulsion of the projectile from the receptacle, means for transferring the projectile to the member when the latter is moved to a retracted position, and means for projecting the propelling member from its retracted position.

11. In a game apparatus, the combination with a target and a projectile, of a normally invisible score indicator, a receptacle receiving the projectile from the target, a connection between the indicator and receptacle whereby the former is moved to exposed position when a projectile is disposed in the latter, a retaining plate for holding the projectile in the receptacle, a normally projected projectile propelling member, means for moving the member to a retracted position, means for shifting the retaining plate to permit expulsion of the projectile from the receptacle and allow return of the indicator to normal position, means for transferring the projectile to the member when the latter is moved to a retracted position, and means for projecting the propelling member from its retracted position. I 12. A target comprising a plurality of substantially concentric rings, one of said rings having its outer edge provided with a plurality of substantially V-shaped notches to deflect a projectile inwardly, and chute portions connected with said rings.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee. in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

. RICHARD F. DOWNEY. 

